Name
Toronto Zoo - Canadian Domain Ride (Monorail)
 
Database Info
created by Vital Films on 2/14/2010 7:36 PM
last modified by Emperor Wang on 4/21/2021 12:46 PM
 
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Viewability
Publically Viewable
Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled by its creator as Public, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 
Overview
 
Description
This is the old Toronto Zoo Monorail they no longer use {aka The Canadian Domain Ride or AGT [Automated Guideway Transit]}. The Monorail stretches 3-4km before entering the Toronto Zoo. The Monorail has some overgrowth from nearby brush but still clear enough to walk on.
 
Basic Information
Type: Outdoors - Elevated and ground level track
Status: Abandoned, Closed.
Accessibility: Moderate
Recommendation: drop everything - must see
 
Hazards
  • Falling off the track at elevated section.
 
Security Measures
  • fences
  • Either be spotted by security patrolling the service roads [only on the Zoo property where the live animal pens are] or by ppl looking at the animals
 
Required Equipment
     
    Physical Information
    Address
    361 Old Finch Avenue
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada
    Owner: Metropolitan Toronto Zoo
     
    Interesting Features
    Plans to scrap the vehicle and tracks dragged well past 1999. Portions of the guideway have now been removed, while others remain in place (overgrown by vegetation in many areas), but the electrical supply rails have been removed from the remaining portions of the guideway.

    Three stations remain in place: the Americas station stands behind closed gates, and the Weston station is still accessible for washrooms – the crumbling station platform can be seen from behind the chain barriers. The Main Station still remains to this day and is now used for several purposes: wheelchair/stroller/wagon rentals, the Peacock Cafe, and the Main Zoomobile station. These stations are only located inside the Zoo grounds.
     
    Historical Dates
    Built: 1976
    Closed: 1994
     
    Recommended Equipment
    Camera gear or just dress appropiate for weather that's it.
     
    History
    The train operated on a concrete guideway with electricity supplied by rails located above one side of the guideway. Passengers entered and left via doors located at each double row of facing seats. A secondary set of controls was available in the last car of the train to allow it to be reversed into the storage/service area located towards the north end of the zoo property.

    In addition to being a quick way to travel between sections of the zoo, the ride provided the only way to view several animals, in remote areas of the zoo. Moose, white-tailed deer and several other exhibits were not accessible from walking paths. The ride operator would provide commentary on the animals visible from the train during the ride.

    It should be noted that the "monorail" name is somewhat misleading: it wasn't a true monorail system. The cars ran in a guideway on their own rubber tires.

    In March of 1991, 9 people were injured when a train smashed into the rear of another that was stopped between stations. Later that year the Metro Zoo board of directors was warned the propulsion and braking systems needed to be updated to prevent a similar accident.

    In July of 1994 37 people were injured, some seriously, when a train lost power while climbing an incline as it left a station stop. It rolled backwards at up to 25mph and crashed into a train in the same station as people were loading/unloading. Stories of deaths and lawsuits are false. Although there was a trial in which found the zoo responsible for an operator that was "inadequately trained", and was fined $43,000C.

    The train never reopened after the July 1994 incident.
     
    Future Plans
    Most of the concrete guideway is likely to remain because of the cost of tearing it down.

    Magna and Lockheed Martin combine efforts as Magnovate, and receive approval to build a maglev train by the Toronto Zoo Board in Dec of 2018. Initial plans were be operating by the summer of 2021. Unclear of progress as of 4.20.2021
     
    Photo Galleries

     
    Moderator Rating
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    Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by Emperor Wang on 4/21/2021 12:48 PM.
     
    Latest Changes
    • on Apr 21 21 at 12:48, Emperor Wang validated this location
    • on Apr 21 21 at 12:48, Emperor Wang validated this location
    • on Apr 21 21 at 12:46, Emperor Wang changed the following: Security Measures
    • on Apr 21 21 at 12:43, Emperor Wang changed the following: Interesting Features
    • on Apr 21 21 at 12:42, Emperor Wang changed the following: Description
    • on Apr 21 21 at 12:40, Emperor Wang changed the following: History
    • on Apr 20 21 at 20:41, fr00tCake changed the following: History
    • on Apr 20 21 at 20:39, fr00tCake changed the following: History, Media Coverage, Future Plans, Description
    • on Apr 20 21 at 20:25, fr00tCake changed the following: Latitude, Longitude
    • on Aug 20 17 at 11:32, Emperor Wang validated this location
     
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